Blue Jays rookie Brett Bateman has made plenty of fans since making his MLB debut last week, but he made one in particular for life back in college: Maddie Johnson.
Bateman was just a freshman attending the University of Minnesota in 2020 — during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — when his fast action helped save the life of Johnson, a fellow student living just three doors down from him in residence.
Bateman and Johnson described the ordeal to local NBC affiliate KARE 11 during an interview a few weeks after the incident.
On Nov. 4, 2020, Bateman had been working online with a tutor in a study room when he heard a thud, then saw Johnson on the ground in the hallway.
“There was kind of an initial shock. It was a Wednesday. I would never expect this to happen, with 18-year-olds, 19-year-olds, in the lounge,” Bateman told the outlet. “She was really pale. And I was like, ‘Hello, are you OK?’ And she really wasn’t responding.”
Johnson said she had woken up that day with shortness of breath and a somewhat irregular heartbeat, but didn’t think of it as anything serious — before she went to fill up a water bottle.
“My vision just went black,” Johnson said. “And I collapsed to the ground.”
What did Bateman do to help?
Bateman said he put some lessons learned in high school health class to use, telling Johnson –who had regained consciousness — to remain calm and not make sudden movements while he called 911 and arranged for fellow students to assist paramedics once they arrived.
Johnson was rushed to a local medical centre, where she suffered cardiac arrest due to a blood clot and had to be revived twice.
“For him to step up for a complete stranger and call 911, and help save my life along with medical staff was truly incredible,” Johnson said.
Bateman refused to take full credit for saving her life, while adding that he was “super thankful” that everything turned out OK “and that Maddie’s alive.”
Has Bateman been playing well for the Jays?
Since that fateful day, a lot has happened to Bateman as he continued his baseball journey.
He was selected in the eighth round of the 2023 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs and remained in the organization until earlier this month, when he was part of the trade that saw the Blue Jays send fan-favourite pitcher Kevin Gausman to the Windy City.
Since being called up from the minors last week, Bateman has made a great impression in his first few games in the Majors.
To go along with some solid defence in the outfield, Bateman also has been clutch at the plate. While he has posted a batting average of .259 overall in six games before Thursday’s matinee against the Red Sox, Bateman was 5-for-10 with runners in scoring position, having driven in three runs.
His emergence as a solid outfield option could help provide the Jays with some good depth at the position for the rest of the season, as well as in the future.
Bateman seems to be soaking it all in, too — both literally and figuratively.
The 24-year-old shared a post on Instagram on Thursday to commemorate some of his big moments so far in the Majors, calling it a “dream come true.”
“8/7/26 — A dream come true. Thank you to everyone who’s supported me through this journey of highs and lows. Always be where your feet are,” he captioned the post.
Bateman also received the team’s celebratory Gatorade shower on the field following Tuesday’s win over the Boston Red Sox, during which the outfielder went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.